I am at my wits end with my dog!

He is driving me crazy and wrecking my floors, but I feel so terrible for him. He is a 6 year old yellow lab. We got him at 6 months old and as the years have progressed, so have his anxiety issues. If he hears even one pop of a firework, he pants, shakes violently, drools, and paces for hours on end. Last summer and this summer we have asshole neighbors who set them off literally every night. We have tried medication but the effect on him was terrible. Looking for any suggestions to help this poor guy. I'm afraid he's going to have a heart attack if this continues. Any advice would be appreciated.

Message edited 6/21/2015 9:41:32 PM.

Re: I am at my wits end with my dog!

You said you tried medication, have you tried Xanax? It's supposed to help with that kind of anxiety. We plan on trying it on our little guy once the fireworks get out of hand.

Also I know that exercise helps with anxiety. If you have a treadmill, you can walk him that way to get him tired and maybe the fireworks won't bother him so much. Some people swear by that thunder shirt, though it didn't work for us. But it's worth a shot.

Re: I am at my wits end with my dog!

Try this. I have friends that use it and it helps a lot!

Thunder Shirt

I am at my wits end with my dog!

Thank you both. The medication was from the vet. I don't think it was xanax. I have to check when I get home and if it wasn't, I'll give them a call and ask about it. My DH and I were just talking about the Thundershirt last night. We are so desperate, we will try anything. And thank you for the suggestion with the exercise. Sadly, since my DD was born, he doesn't go for many walks because he is terrible on the leash and I cannot control him and the stroller at the same time. I'll have to find a way to make it work.

I am at my wits end with my dog!

My dog has anxiety issues (but luckily, not to fireworks). I have noticed that since we installed a doggie door so he can go in and out as he pleases, which he loves, his anxiety is a little worse, I think because we walk him less often. So, I've been trying to get him out for more walks. He's also had some gastrointestinal issues (anxiety related), which are almost cleared up. Our vet said once he is off his stomach meds, we can try xanax if his anxiety issues continue. Was thinking of trying the Thundershirt too, but haven't gotten it yet. Good luck. I hope your dog can find some relief

Re: I am at my wits end with my dog!

Re: I am at my wits end with my dog!

Ugh it's hard with a big dog like that who isn't good on a leash, I can't even imagine throwing a stroller in the mix. But the more you walk him, the better he'll be on a leash, too. We have a thundershirt for our pit with mild anxiety but she hates it. But hating it does distract her from the sound the fireworks make.

Do you crate him? I know my dog likes to hide in my bedroom closet when he's scared, but sometimes just a place that's their "own" is enough to make them feel safe, ya know?

I am at my wits end with my dog!

My pit has super anxiety. UnfortunTely we haven't found anything that works. Ned's make her dopey but still frightened and shakey. Just hugs and hiding u det the covers.

Re: I am at my wits end with my dog!

My dog was burned on his face. We rescued him after it had healed. We tried a lot of different things but we found the thunder shirt, Prozac, Xanax, and behavior therapy worked. We used the thunder shirt and Prozac together while we started behavior therapy. We then used Xanax as needed for extra bad days. We also use calming music when we are out. He is a new dog! I love seeing him happy again. I totally feel your pain. Speak to your vet maybe they can try something different. FM if you have any questions.

I am at my wits end with my dog!

Thank you to everyone who replied. I ordered the thunder shirt. It should be here in the next few days. I also called my vet about the Xanax but they brushed it off and told me to try to give him Benadryl. He's a large dog about 85 to 95 pounds. Does anyone give their large dog Xanax? How much do you give ?

Re: I am at my wits end with my dog!

Re: I am at my wits end with my dog!

We have a dog with severe anxiety (particularly separation anxiety). She takes Paxil and Xanax daily. It helps, but she still gets pretty anxious and when she is nervous, she pees on the floor no matter what we do. We have also tried behavior therapy. Hang in there, it definitely isn't easy.

Re: I am at my wits end with my dog!

First, If you want a sedative - don't let your vet talk you out of it - every dog (like people) reacts differently to benedryl - my one dog just gets a small 'high' from it, while the other will be full on knocked out.

My one pup, Delilah, we give the sedative to on/around the 4th of July - otherwise she's quite miserable. It makes her sleepy...she's still aware of the noise but not as hyper focused on it.

My other pup - gets freaked out only when Delilah is freaked out, so we don't give him the sedative, but will give him benedryl to just calm him down. He is 90lbs.. My Vet's recommendations for benedryl is one 25 mg pill for each 25 lbs of dog - so we give him 3 pills.

If you feel the sedative is right for your dog - get it!

Re: I am at my wits end with my dog!

Aw, I feel so bad for your pup

You want to desensitize your dog to the noise. You can buy a cd of just firework sounds. I found one on amazon that comes with a training guide. I don't know what the guide says, but my suggestion would be:

Start the cd at a low volume that your dog is comfortable with. Go about your everyday tasks, just leaving the cd on a low volume. Slowly increase the volume throughout the day. If you notice your dog getting anxious, lower the volume to where he is comfortable.

The concept is to slowly build his tolerance to the sound. You want to be able to eventually play the CD loudly without him reacting to it. Depending on your dog , this could take some time.



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